St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-09
LAW. ~. Law.
A minneapolis Correspondent Fears
Zoo Much of "a Good i hing.

A minneapolis Correspondent Fears
EoO Much of IL Good i hing.
To the Editor of the Globe:
Our labor representatives are prompt in
presenting bills for the Improvement of man
kind in general, and themselves and their
constituents il particular. This they are in
duty bound to do. 1t is what they promised
to do, If elected, and if the movement is not Il
good one they should not be made TO bear more
than their propOsitional share Of the reSpOn-
sibility. do nor propose TO deny that law
has its place in all schemes of social reform
and that it may be made the means of great
good to society. am in favor of what is
called the "paternal system Of government,
and am not afraid that the individualit. and
self reliance of the people will be leSSened by
all that the government may do towards
helping the masses. Free schools. the post
Office. AS lumS for the deaf and dumb insane
hospitals, and all similar paternal expedi-
ents. are good things. Laws for
the protection OF LoIr children. for
keeping them out of factories at
an early age and for shutting up houses of
temptation of many forms, should be enact ed
and enforced. But there is another side to
the subject that wish 10 present. Depend
ence on law is fatal. The very best that
legal enacgments can do is but little when
compared with what is needed. Well in
formed socialists can take but little interest
In efforts to lift up the masses by means Of
laws passed for their benefit. The most
bencicient use of the power of the state is
in educating the youth of the country. But
every child II ght be able to pass examinations
in all the branches taught in the best schools
of our country without increasing the wages
of our workmen a dime day. The Tug of
war that goes on when Gree meets Greek
is certainly as desperate and fatal as when
the unframed soldier meets his trained oppo-
nent in the arena. Competition between work
men of skill is as relentless and destructive
as etween ignorant novices and awkward
bot mes. Educate every child to the utmost
ard gu merely place them on a higher plane
to pursue tne o d fatal warfare.
! therefore look on legal reforms, wher
looked upon as remedies. dangerous quack
er AS palliatives, as acknowledgements o.
DEBTS due and unpaid, they may be prop ri,
advocated and accepted. But to place ou
dependence on them is to waste precious time
and to insure ultimate disappointment.
Reconstruction is needed. a new ant
healthy constitution should be given to ou
body polite, and pills, whether big little
allopathic or homeopathic, are of very littl,
use compared with the sound hygenic basil
on which a living, active organ ism il
necessarily Dependent. Competition pro
duces monopolies: competition reduces wage
TO starvation rates; competition produce
frauds of all kinds: competition forces capt
talists to Destroy their weaker competitors
and by corrupt arts 10 gain legal adva 1tage
In the courts and halls of legislation. A
least such is the opinion of the highest au
tnorities in political and social science. T.
neutralize or prevent these evils b, pape
hullets is hopeless. The old lady who tr e.
to keep the ocean tides out Of her house D.
the active use of her broom is sample Of tn